Clerk hospitalized after being pepper sprayed

UPDATED TRURO – A suspect from a convenience store robbery in Truro early Friday morning has been arrested in Millbrook.

Truro robbery

The unidentified man is a 20-year-old Millbrook resident who had been released on parole from a previous conviction involving federal time.

The man was arrested by members of the Truro Police Service at a business in Millbrook, following a search in the area that included assistance from the RCMP.

The arrest follows a robbery that occurred at 5:20 a.m. at the Needs store on Queen Street that resulted in a male clerk being sent to hospital.

Chief David MacNeil confirmed to the Truro Daily News that the man, who was known to police, was identified from a security video at the store. When officers went to his residence to make inquiries, the man fled.

Truro Police inspector Robert Hearn said the robbery occurred after the man entered the store and produced what is believed to be pepper spray and demanded the clerk turn over money and cigarettes.

The clerk complied without resistance, Hearn said, but the clerk was nonetheless dosed with what is believed to be pepper spray as the robber fled the store.